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"We've been waiting a long time for the city to do something about it," Crosier said. "There's a lot of relief."

David Osgood, the Seattle attorney representing the club, argued Friday in King County Superior Court that the Culps' due process rights were violated because they never had a chance to argue their side of the matter before the suspension took effect.

"Due process means you can't shoot first and ask questions later," Osgood said in court.

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But Greg Brunson, with the state Attorney General's Office, said the state was well within its authority when it issued the suspension Jan. 6, and added that selling alcohol isn't a right, but a privilege.

"What we're talking about here is a concern for the public safety, not the ability of a privilege to continue," Brunson said.

The emergency suspension was issued at the request of Mayor Greg Nickels, who asked for the liquor board's help after a Dec. 31 episode in which club workers reportedly failed to summon help when a patron was stabbed inside Larry's. Instead, a bouncer kicked the man out, along with others involved in the fight.

The suspension carries with it the intent to revoke Larry's liquor license, a decision that will be made by the board at the end of the six-month period. Larry's must request a hearing on the matter, which Osgood said he intends to do.

The hearing does nothing to help Larry's now, since an inability to sell liquor for such an extended period of time will effectively put the club out of business, Osgood said. Larry's has been in Pioneer Square for 43 years, with Larry and Charlie Culp operating it for almost half that time.

The club has had increasing problems with police, Pioneer Square residents and other clubs since it began offering hip-hop music on a nightly basis about two years ago.

Larry Culp has said he beefed up security, has added surveillance cameras and has taken other measures to ensure the safety of club patrons.

Last summer, the club came to public attention when it was alleged that a fight in which two soldiers were severely beaten began in the line to enter Larry's. Other episodes followed, including a fight in October that left Seattle Seahawks player Ken Hamlin seriously injured.

About 1:30 a.m. Dec. 31, a 24-year-old man approached officers in a patrol car in Pioneer Square, bleeding from injuries and claiming to have been assaulted on the dance floor at Larry's. Officers learned that the man had been stabbed. When they went to Larry's bouncers for information, they were rebuffed.

In court, Commissioner Carlos Velategui noted that a bouncer at a nearby club was able to see that the man was bleeding, and took the Larry's staff to task for failing to get the victim any help.

The lack of action, he said, displayed a "shocking disregard" for public safety.

After the hearing, Osgood said the bouncer did see that the man was bleeding, but believed it was nothing more serious than a nosebleed. Also, he said, the victim was combative and tried to get back into the club to continue the fight.

"This guy never told anyone he was stabbed," Osgood said.

While Velategui was critical of the club's handling of the event, he appeared sympathetic to the situation the club faces in losing its license for such an extended period, calling the liquor board's action "an extraordinary remedy."

A hearing is set for Jan. 23, at which Osgood intends to request an injunction against the license suspension. Osgood also said he plans to sue the city.

After the hearing, Larry Culp said he and his brother may open briefly this weekend after hours, when other clubs are closing, although they cannot sell alcohol. He declined to elaborate about his plan for the Seahawks game weekend.

Osgood said the closure has been painful for the brothers and the club's staff.